Condensing apparatus.



E. w. CHRISTIE.

CONDENSING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 10, 19M.

mmwmm muted Apr. 13, 1915.

d H t" EV! WILLSON CHRISTIE, F SEWAREN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO H' P 1:

DENSEE AND ENGINEERING COMPANY, 015 UTE TIQN 01E 'NEW JERSEY.

i= NEW JERSEY, A CORPOEA- CONDENSING APPAT'US.

iaaaaei.

Specification of Letters Eatcnt.

Patented Apr. ta, i'aia.

Application filed April 110, 1914. Serial Ito. 830,856.

. Tin, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sewaren, in the county of Middlesex and State of New Jersey, have invented an Improvement in Condensing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to condensing apparatus, and particularly to a surface condensing apparatus, in which a hotwell is employed. In the use of the apparatus of this class, if, for any reason, the hotwell pump stops, or operates inefficiently, the condensate accumulates or backs up and is liable to flood the air pump employed and thus injure the same and break down the vacuum in the condenser.

The object of my present invention is the provision of an apparatus in which this difficulty is overcome by employing devices for automatically closing the passage between the condenser and the air pump suction when the condensate from the condenser ac-p cumulates to a certain extent, or backs up to a predetermined height, so that the air pump cannot become flooded, and also one in which the pressure on both sides of the devices employed may be equalized, so that the parts may return to their normal positions when the condensate has dropped below a predetermined level in order that the entire apparatus may operate during the continuous working of the system in which it is employed.

In carrying out my invention, in connection with the shell of the condenser, which is provided with an outlet for the condensate, I employ a receptacle for this condensate, to which a hotwell pump is suitably connected. The condenser shell is also pro vided with a nozzle or similar connection leading to the suction of an air pump, and this nozzle, or other connection, is divided into compartments, one of which leads directly to the air pump and the other to the interior of the condenser. This nozzle is also provided with a float valve casing, in which there is a suitable float valve adapted to close a port in the partition wall in the nozzle, the float valve casing being suitably connected to the receptacle for the condensate so that when the condensate rises to a predetermined point, it floats this valve and closes the said port, thereby shutting off communication between the air pump and, the condenser. The nozzle is also preferably litted with a "suitable by-pass valve for equalizing the pressure on the opposite sides of the float valve, after the condensate has dropped below a predetermined level, in order that the float valve may automatically return to its normal position, at the same time, as will be understood, placing the condenser in direct communication again with the air pump. Still furthermore, I may employ a suitable means for indicating the fact that the float valve has operated to shut 0d communication between the air pump and the condenser, all of which will be hereinafter more particularly described.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is an end elevation of a condenser illustrating the improvements comprising my present invention, and

Fig. 2 is a partial cross section illustrating the same on a large scale.

Referring to the drawing, 10 indicates the condenser shell, provided with a series of condenser tubes 11, fixed at their respective ends in tube plates, which are suitably secured to the ends of the condenser, as is customary. In suitable positions the condenser shell is provided with an opening 12, for the discharge of the condensate or condensed steam. A boss preferably surrounds this opening 12, and to this boss a receptacle 13 is suitably connected. .The condenser shell 10, in a suitable position, is also fitted with a nozzle 14, provided at its extremity with a flange 15, by which the same may be connected either directly or through a required pipe to the suction end of an air pump. The

nozzle 14 is preferably provided with a partition wall 16, dividing the same into compartments 17 and 18, the compartment 17 leading directly to the air pump, and the compartment 18 to the interior of the condenser shell through a port 19 therein, and in the partition wall 16 there is a port 20, in which there is fitted a ring and a bearing hub 22, the ring in the bearing hub being connected by a suitably spaced radial arm 23, or otherwise.

Made integral with, or suitably connected to the nozzle 14, and preferably depending therefrom. is a float valve case 24, in which there is a float valve 25, which may be centered therein by suitable ribs 26, or otherwise. At its upper end, this float valve 25 is provided with a stem 27, which extends through and operates in the bearing hub 22. The float valve case 24 is connected to the receptacle 13 by means of a pipe 28 or otherwise.

I may employ a suitable alarm for indicating the position of the float valve 25. As illustrated in the drawing, I have shown the nozzle 14 provided with a pair of con- ,10 tacts 29 and 30 fixed in the compartment 17 and electrically connected to terminals 31 and 32, suitably secured to the nozzle exteriorly thereof. These terminals may be connected through suitable wiring with an annunciator or bell 33, and a battery 34, so that. when the float valve'rises sufiiciently far to contact with the surface of the ring 21, the stem 27 engages the contacts 29 and I 30, therebv closing the circuit to the annunciator and giving an audible alarm. It will be unders tood, however, that the alarm feature forms no material part of my invention, andthat the one described herein, or any other suitable alarm, may be employed if so desired. The partition wall 16 is also provided with a'port 35, and I employ a bypass valve 36, to which is connected a stem 37, a cap and gland 38, through which the stem passes, and a handle wheel 39 for oper- 30 ating the same, so thatthis by-pass valve may be seated against the valve seat pro,- vided therefor in the partition wall to close the port or moved from its seat to open the same. I have also indicated the hotwell 35 pump by the reference numeral 40, "and shown same connected to the receptacle 13 by means of a pipe 11, it being understood that the discharge end of the hotwell pump leads to a suitable hotwell.

In the operation of, the hereinbefore .described apparatus, theparts during normal conditions are in the positions as indicated in the drawing. If, however, for any rea- 'son, the hotwell pump' does not operate satisfactorily, the condensate accumulates or backs up until 'it reaches a sufiicient height to cause thefloat valve 25 to rise, and bear against a seat on the face of the ring 21,

' whereby communication between the air pump and the interior of the condenser is shut ofi'. In so doing, as hereinbefore stated,

. the float valve or stem may close an electric circuit in order to give an audible alarm that, the hotwell pump' is not operating properly, and that the float valve has been actuated to shut off communication between the dischargeand the air pump. This con:

dition maintains until the hotwell pump has been given attention and made to qperate properly when, as will be understood, the.

condensate drops and the by-pass valve 36 may be opened to equalize the pressure in the compartments '17 and 18, whereby the float valve will drop to, its normal or initial position wl1en the bypass valve may be a connection attached thereto and having two compartments therein, one adapted to be connected to an air pump and the other leadin to the interior of the condenser, there Iieing provided a port in the wall separating the said vcompartments, a float valve in the compartment leading to the interior of the condenser, and a valve seat fixed in the said port in the wall between the said compartments.

2 In a condensing apparatus and in combination, a condenser having an outlet for the condensate and a connection leading from the said outlet to a hotwell pump, a connection secured to the body of the condenser and having two compartments therein, one adapted to be connected to an air pump and the other leading directly into the interior of the condenser with a port in the wall dividing the .one compartment from the other, a float valve in the compartment leading directly to the condenser, a valve seat fixed in the said port. and against which, when raised, the said float valve bears, and a pipe extending between the said compartment leading to the interior of the condeliiiser and the said connection to the hotwe 3. In a condensing apparatus and in combination, a condenser having an outlet for the I condensate and a connection leading from the said outlet to the hotwell pump, a connection secured to the body of the condenser and having two compartments therein, one adapted to be connected to an air pump and the other leading directly into the interior of the condenser with a port in the wall dividing the one compartment from the other, a float ,valve in the compartment leading directly to the condenser, a valve seat fixed in the said port and against which, when raised, the said float valve bears, a, pipe extending between the said compartment leading to the interior of the condenser and the said connection to the hot-well, and means in the said wall divid-' ing the said compartments and operative exteriorly of the said connection for equalizing'the vacuum in the said compartments.

4, In a condensing apparatus and in combination,"'a"condenser having an outlet for the condensate and a connection leading from'thefsaid outlet to the hot-well pump,

a connectionisecured' to the body of the conmanner denser and having two compartments therein, one adapted to be connected to an air pump and the other leading directly into the interior of the condenser with a port in the wall dividing the one compartment from the other, a float valve in the compartment leading directly to the condenser, a valve seat fined the said port and against which, when raised, the said float valve bears, a pipe extending between the said compartment leading to the interior of the condenser and the said connection to the hotwell, and means for operating an audible alarm when the float is in position against the said valve seat.

5. In a condensing apparatus and in combination, a condenser having an outlet for the condensate and a connection leading from the said outlet to the hot-well pump, a connection secured to the body of the condenser and having two compartments therein, one adapted to be connected to an air pump and the other leading directly into the interior of the condenser with a port in the wall dividing the one compartment from the other, a float valve in the compartment leading directly to the condenser, a valve seat fixed in the said port and against which, when raised, the said float valve bears, a pipe extending between the said compartment leading to the interior of the condenser and the said connection to the hot-Well, means in the said Wall dividing the said compartments and operative exterior-1y of the said connection for equalizing the vacuum in the said compartments, and means for operating an audible alarm when the float is in position against the said valve seat.

Signed by me this 2nd day ofApril, 191d.

EVI WILLSON (3 I'll"; ISTIE. Witnesses:

A. W. KRAMER, Tnos. Bos'rocn, 

